Book Review: A Better Class of Murder

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Better Class of Murder     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Joyce Christmas
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character
Series: Betty Trenka # 5
Fawcett, Dec 2000, 265 pp.
Unknown Binding

In East Moulton, Connecticut, Elizabeth Trenka thought the last two fogged-in days were very gray turning her mood bleak. However, that changes when she reads the E-mail on her computer. Her neighbor, software programming test guru Ted Kelso offers her an opportunity to accompany him on a business trip to Manhattan. Xaviera Corporation's CEO Gerald Toth wants to hire Ted, but he is concerned that the product might be stolen. He wants Elizabeth to help him by gauging the integrity of Gerald while spending an all paid trip to a fancy Big Apple hotel.

Gerald's friend Lady Margaret Priam escorts Elizabeth around the city as a friendship has sprung up between them. However, unbeknownst to either of them, a killer recently murdered a woman named Xaviera on the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound. Could two women having a good time together in the big Apple be the next targets?

Either Joyce Christmas is a genius or lunatic. She takes the amateur sleuth stars from her two series (Lady Priam and Betty Trenka) and brings them together in a plot that leads to A BETTER CLASS OF MURDER. The story line is fun and enjoyable as both women stay in character yet work well together. Anyone who reads this merger novel will agree that Ms. Christmas has pulled off a coup and hopefully will not only have her two heroines star in their own tales, but come together again in a future story.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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